CALGARY, March 1, 2006 – Air Canada inaugurated daily non-stop service from Calgary-New York (JFK) today with a new, state-of-the-art Embraer E190 jet.

“We are delighted to celebrate our new Calgary to New York route, linking the oil patch to The Big Apple with convenient, daily, non-stop flights onboard our next-generation Embraer E190 jets,” said Marc Rosenberg, Vice President Sales and Product Distribution, Air Canada at a ceremony today at the Calgary International Airport. “These ultra-modern, spacious and comfortable Embraer aircraft allow us to pursue new market opportunities in North America, while offering our customers better schedules and more non-stop flights with a superior travel experience.”

The new Embraer jets are outfitted with Air Canada’s new personal entertainment system that is being introduced fleet-wide, and features 8.9-inch wide digital in-seat monitors with touch-screen controls offering audio and video on demand programming at every seat. Other amenities include Air Canada’s new seating and cabin design with in-seat power within reach of every customer, no middle seats, spacious overhead bins and cabin interiors that offer plenty of head room with extra-wide aisles.

The 93-seat E190 aircraft is configured to provide a choice of two classes of service with 9 window or aisle seats in Executive Class offering 39 inches of legroom, and 84 window or aisle seats in Hospitality service offering 33 inches of legroom. The E190 has a cruising speed of 830 km/h and a range of up to 4,260 km with a maximum payload of 12,720 kg. Air Canada has firm orders for 45 E190 aircraft with additional options for up to 60 additional E190 aircraft.

"The Calgary market has anxiously awaited the return of New York non-stop service," commented Julien DeSchutter, Vice President of Marketing for the Calgary Airport Authority. "We are very pleased Air Canada is now providing this daily, non-stop service."

From Calgary, Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz offer more than 650 scheduled, non-stop flights each week to 33 destinations across Canada, US, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean, more than any other carrier. Since October, daily non-stop flights to Las Vegas, Abbotsford and seasonal flights to Orlando have been launched.